Chapter 133

Katrina bustled around the living room, putting up decorations for Kylan's birthday. Her seven-month baby bump stretched her shirt, and she paused, puffing out a breath as she struggled to reach a high corner. She groaned, stretching again, but still couldn't quite manage. A familiar voice rumbled behind her, accompanied by the solid warmth of Kylan's back against hers. "I've got it, sweetheart."

She turned to see him smiling down at her, reaching up effortlessly to adjust the decoration.

"Thank you," she murmured with a smile.

He stepped back, his hands resting lightly on her baby bump. "You look amazing, by the way."

Katrina giggled and rolled her eyes. "I look like I swallowed a basketball."

He smirked, brushing his thumb over her stomach. "That's a good thing. Means Theo's growing strong."

"He is," Katrina agreed, her smile softening. Her gaze shifted as their daughter Clarence padded over carefully, clutching a cup in both hands.

"For Mommy!" the little girl chirped.

Katrina knelt, taking the cup with a warm laugh. "Thank you, sweetie."

Clarence leaned in, pressing her small hands to Katrina's belly and planting a kiss there. "Hi, Theo."

Katrina ruffled her hair. "That's your baby brother in there, sleeping."

"When will he come out?" Clarence asked, her eyes round with curiosity.

"Two more months," Katrina replied, tapping her nose playfully.

"Soon," Kylan added as he crouched beside her. "Not long now."

"Yay!" Clarence threw her arms around him. "I'm so excited!"

Kylan chuckled, hugging her back. "Me too."

The doorbell rang, pulling his attention. He stood, his brow furrowing slightly. "Were we expecting anyone?" Katrina shook her head. "No, I'll get it."

As she moved to the door, Kylan's stomach knotted with unease. "Wait, Katrina-"

But she had already opened it. A delivery man smiled at her, holding out a clipboard. "Sign here, please."

Katrina complied and accepted the package. "Thank you."

She returned to the living room and handed the package to Kylan. "This one's for you."

Frowning, he took it. "From you?"

"Nope," Katrina replied, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "Your presents are much better than mystery packages."

Kylan opened it cautiously. Inside was a photo album, and his expression darkened as he flipped through it. The pictures inside were vile: images of Isabella in revealing outfits, doctored photos of Katrina with Isabella's face superimposed, even private moments between Katrina and Kylan that had been taken from their nanny cam with Isabella's face inserted over Katrina's. His jaw clenched in rage.

"I need to go out," he said, closing the book abruptly.

Katrina frowned, concerned. "Is something wrong?"

"I just remembered something I forgot to pick up for my birthday." His voice was strained but even.

She laughed softly. "You silly man."

As Kylan left, Katrina settled on the couch with Clarence, gently stroking her daughter's hair. Fatigue overcame her, and soon both mother and child drifted off into a peaceful nap.

Unbeknownst to them, Isabella crept through the front door using a copied key. She stalked into the house, her wild eyes flitting around. Pausing in the doorway, she gazed at Katrina and Clarence sleeping on the sofa, her face twisting with a sinister smile. Quietly, Isabella entered Kylan and Katrina's bedroom. She breathed deeply, pulling Kylan's shirts from the closet and clutching them to her chest. Then, with a glint in her eye, she turned to Katrina's wardrobe. Grabbing a knife from her bag, she began slashing through Katrina's clothes with frenzied movements.

small shirt, and then into the nursery, where she stroked the baby's crib and muttered

nearly froze when she heard the front door open. Kylan stepped inside the house, a grim determination on

called softly. "You

yawning as Clarence clung to her. "Hmm?

on her shoulder as he smiled warmly. "It's okay. You deserve

to stifle a frustrated scream. She moved back to Clarence's room, hiding behind the door

murmured, kissing her

swatted at him. "Kylan!" she protested

her sleep, rolling over. Katrina smiled and cradled her daughter. "I'll take her

carried Clarence into her room and froze at the sight of Isabella

"Isabella?" Katrina gasped.

deranged woman turned, her eyes gleaming. "I thought Kylan would bring her, but this works too." She pointed the knife at Katrina's belly. "Wake her up. Send her out."

and

knife against Katrina's side. "This baby is mine. Kylan and Clarence

from the doorway. "Isabella, let

crazed devotion in her gaze.

Isabella. You're my wife. But you need to let

torn. "Our

her go, and we can deal

seized the chance, twisting Isabella's wrist and driving the knife into her thigh. "Now,

but swift as Isabella fought back with unusual strength

Clarence in her arms, tears streaming

beside her, pulling her into a tight

voice

softly. "I love you,

through her tears.

~0~0~0~

She smiled softly as she cradled baby Theo in her arms, his tiny fingers curling and uncurling while he let out a delicate yawn. Across from her, Clarence leaned in, her eyes wide with fascination

strand of hair from Clarence's face. "He is, but

at the

he settled beside Katrina. His arm wrapped protectively around her as he glanced at Theo. "That's right, Clarence.

hands in delight.

yet, little one. But soon enough, I'm sure

cheek, a stark reminder of everything they had endured

slightly. "I was just

reached out, cupping her cheek with his palm. "I'm okay, Katrina," he said softly before leaning in to

know. You did what you had to

hand tickling Theo's tiny cheek. "I'd do it all

slightly, a soft whimper escaping him. Kylan chuckled, pulling back. "Speaking of Theo, I think someone's

as Kylan

baby from her arms

always," she teased, opening her arms for Clarence, who eagerly climbed

brother," Clarence

of her daughter's head. "You know, you were

"No way! I use the

do, my

nodded vigorously. "Yes, Mommy. I

whispered, her heart

resting contentedly against his chest. "All cleaned up. What's this about?" he asked with a playful grin. Katrina

Clarence nodded. "Big talk!"

Clarence's hair. "Well, I'm impressed.

now!" Clarence exclaimed, hopping down and racing toward her

go. "She's turning into

nodded. "She is. They grow so

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